I’ve finished…again. I’ve gone through my entire manuscript and cut 53 pages!! And I’ve gotta admit–I think it’s better, tighter, more cohesive. But talk about intense… I’m used to a more relaxed pace. But my resolution was to have this book done by the end of the school year, and while it was technically done once, it was suggested I revise, so I went back through it all again. And now I’m done…again.

And while I’m happy about that, I’m actually a little disappointed on another front. I’d queried an agent with my first few pages and synopsis, and she emailed me back the next day saying she loved the idea, would love to see the manuscript, and thought I’d written a stellar query letter. So I sent the manuscript (the old one, before the tightening, because at the time, the tightening had not yet been requested). Her blog indicates that she will respond to full manuscripts within just a few days, but it’s been a month, and I hadn’t heard, so I tried emailing. Nothing. I tried calling on Friday, but I haven’t heard anything back. So…I think I kind of have to assume that it’s a no-go, and that’s a bit of a downer.

To end on an upbeat note, I decided to go with Travis Erwin’s My Town Monday idea. Here is the sign outside a rinky-dink little gas station in the vicinity of my house. It fascinates me. Just above the spaces for gas and diesel prices, where someone might advertise lottery tickets or milk and bread, this place hawks it’s brownies. Someday I’m going in–I’m going to find out what’s so special about these brownies and whether this gas station has reason to be famous/infamous for them. Stay tuned…

Sooo much has happened since my last post way back on Monday. In no particular order of importance, they are…

1. My kids are officially out of school. Today was their first day off, but my husband was off too, so I didn’t get the full effect of being home alone with them. He defrayed a good bit of their whining away from me. Monday will be the true beginning.

2. I’ve started working out at the YMCA! We joined recently but my first time in was Monday, and I’ve been every day this week except Thursday. So far, so good. The beginner spinning class kicked my rear end though. They were playing a video entitled Biking Through Europe, and I suppose I was expecting some leisurely pedaling (and pseudo sight-seeing). Who knew I’d have to be up, ‘out of the saddle’ pretending to pedal up a bunch of imaginary hills???? Egad!

3. I had my first ever pedicure last night. I’d gotten a gift certificate as an end-of-year gift from the Mother’s Day Out program and went with a few of the other ‘teachers’. It was nice, but I doubt I’ll be doing it very often. Maybe never again. I’d rather use the money for a couple of books or a few movies or an outfit from Target. But it was nice.

4. We went to see Kung Fu Panda today, and everyone in the family LOVED it. It’s my husband’s and older son’s new favorite movie. I have to admit to having a certain fondness for Jack Black, and he was perfect for the role of the panda. Highly recommended–very funny.

5. A new Chipotle opened up in our area, and I entered my name for a year’s worth of burritos. I can’t help but wonder if that’s one a day, one a week, one everytime it strikes my fancy… Brings to mind that Seinfeld episode in which Kramer was awarded all the Cafe Lattes he could drink…

And…I’ve cut 36 pages, and I’m still going…

Not too much went on this weekend. Some cleaning, some time at the pool… But I did manage to slip into my bedroom by myself for just enough time to watch Becoming Jane, and I enjoyed it very much. I thought they did a lovely job of setting the scene and portraying Jane Austen as a young woman who saw and understood so very much and then decided to buck the system. I was completely caught up! (Right up until my six-year-old climbed on the bed and wanted to wrestle.) Eventually I booted him out, just long enough to finish the movie.

Later that evening I watched the ‘making of the movie’ bonus feature and was even more impressed. It seems Anne Hathaway (whom I thought did a lovely job with the part) had written her senior thesis on Pride and Prejudice (I think that’s the one), and for the part she did a huge amount of reading and research, fully cognizant of the importance of capturing the true nature of Jane. Loved it in all its bittersweetness. (I always want the girl to end up with the guy in the end!)

I have Northanger Abbey checked out from the library–this will be the first time I’ve read it. I’m excited!

Latest update:
2 1/2 days of school
21 pages cut (I gave myself the weekend off)